Paul Zerdin's panto secrets revealed

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin today revealed how his cheeky side-kick Sam landed him in trouble with a member of a pantomime audience.

The performer, aged 36, picks an audience member, using his doll Sam to throw light-hearted insults.

The unlucky person always gets applause and one of his DVDs in return, and most take it in good humour.

But Paul, who has been in showbusiness for 20 years, said that one man did not see the funny side at a recent performance of Aladdin at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre. He recalled how after one show he was approached by a member of the audience who had waited for him at the stage door.

Paul, playing Aladdin in the production, said: "The man was one of the people that Sam and I had teased during the show. At the end of the night, he came up to me and said 'Tell your little friend to watch his mouth' — it took me a few seconds to realise he was talking about Sam. I just nodded and said 'OK mate' and walked off.

"Most people take the teasing really well but I guess this man didn't appreciate Sam's jokes."

Paul spoke to the Express & Star as the theatre announced that its ticket sales have already beaten those of last year by reaching the 60,000 mark.

Dummy Sam plays Wishy Washy in the show, which runs until January 30 and also stars Christopher Biggins.